Lenticular Clouds Near Waddell, Arizona

October 05, 2010

Lenticulars

Photographer: Stan Celestian
Summary Author: Stan Celestian

Streamlined lenticular clouds are created by turbulence or strong upward air movement, associated with lee wave formation. Once formed, they simply ride the crest of updrafts but often appear stationary in the sky, even though noticeable surface winds may be present. This was the case on the day the above photo was taken. The most probable cause of the turbulence was a deflection of air up and over the White Tank Mountains (orgraphic influence), just north and west of the clouds' position. Note the wispy cirrus cloud downwind of the lenticular cloud at center. Whereas lenticular clouds are typically composed of very fine water droplets, cirrus clouds are made up of ice crystals. Photo taken on August 24, 2009.

Photo details: Camera Maker: NIKON CORPORATION; Camera Model: NIKON D200; Focal Length: 70mm (35mm equivalent: 105mm) with polarizing filter; Aperture: f/4.5; Exposure Time: 0.0007 s (1/1500); ISO equiv: 100; Exposure Bias: -2.33 EV; Metering Mode: Spot; Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto); White Balance: Manual; Light Source: Fine Weather; Flash Fired: No.